The Reading Study

Some children who have received treatment for medulloblastoma, a brain tumor, have trouble reading. Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital want to understand why and how this happens. The Reading Study will gather information about how the brain works while a person is learning to read.

Who is needed for the study?

• A control group consisting of healthy children and young adults, ages 6 to 25, who live in the Memphis area are needed for the study.
• St. Jude patients who have undergone treatment for medulloblastoma will be asked to participate in a survivor group.
• Test results from the control group and the survivor group will be compared.

What tests will be done?

Study participants will come to St. Jude for two days of evaluations each year over a span of three years. At each visit, the participant will take tests to measure IQ, reading skills and attention level. Two MRIs will be performed at each visit; a standard MRI that takes pictures of the brain shape and structure, and a functional MRI, which determines brain activity while the participant looks at pictures, letters and words projected onto a screen. MRIs take pictures of the brain using magnetic fields instead of x-rays.

What else is required of participants?

• Study participants will need to come to St. Jude for two days during the week during regular clinic hours, once a year for three years.
• There are no medications involved in the study.
• There are no needle sticks or blood draws required for the study.
• There is no cost to participants for tests.

• St. Jude will assist with meals and provide reimbursement for time and travel to control group participants.

How do I become a participant in the study?

To find out if you are eligible to participate in the study, please complete our brief questionnaire. You will receive a confirmation email when your information has been submitted.

Please see Related Topics for information about medulloblastoma and additional study-related information.